1.5 Fields/Scope of Political Science

Political Theory

are terms which are often used interchangeably. Scholars in this field are concerned with questions about value judgements and the history ang development of the ideas of great political thinkers.

Political Philosophy

sometimes called value or normative theory because it is concerned primarily with values, norms, and morality. It attempts to examine the connections among facts, values, and judgements.

Theory

important part of all political science fields because it is used in the explanation and prediction of political phenomena.

Political Dynamics

the forces at work in the government such as political parties, public issues and opinions and pressure groups like POs, NGOs or the civil society.

Public Administration

is concerned more with how policies are formulated and implemented within the large bureaucratic structure of government.

Public Law/Policy

analyzes and evaluates policies in areas such as defense, health, education and resource development.

International Relations

focus on the foreign policies of countries, international organizations, and international law in order to learn more about the interactions among states.

Comparative Government and Politics

is a very wide field with many subdivisions. To a large extent it is the study of the macro-politics of states. It is primarily concerned with comparing the politics and government of different states.